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CK2 Dev Diary #17: Crusader Cats

Hello everyone! I’m Virvatuli, one of the Content Designers on The Reaper’s Due, which also happens to be my very first project here at Paradox. It’s been so much fun working on this DLC and I hope you’ll have even more fun playing it! In this week’s DD (another first for me), I will reveal one of Reaper’s most important features. Oh, okay, it might not be that important, but at least it’s my personal favourite and pet project. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you cats.

For the longest time, there’s been a issue regarding the representation of pets in Crusader Kings 2. In the realm of companion animals, there has been a worrisome lack of diversity. Most of you who play Way of Life have probably had a loyal hunting dog, there have been some events regarding birds of prey, and a lucky few Conclave players might have encountered a tiny rodent friend. Sadly, that has been pretty much it on the pet front. To rectify this serious problem we’ve added some additional furry and feathered friends in The Reaper’s Due. As we did, of course we couldn’t leave out the best animal of them all: our Feline Overlords, Befurred Ninjas, Gods of the Internet.

In the new DLC you can befriend a cat in a number of ways. However, as any Dwarf Fortress player or real-life cat lover knows, you do not adopt a cat. A cat adopts you. Once your feline friend has decided that you’re the one and only slave for it, you will receive a fancy “Pet Cat” character modifier (unless you scare it away, you horrible person). It will give your character +1 health, as the cat brings you so much happiness, and +1 intrigue, because we all know that cat owners are a bit more clever than everyone else (hey, it’s science!).

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However, most things can become troublesome in excess, even your love for felines. In every cat owner’s life there comes a time when you ask yourself if you shouldn’t get just one more. At some point, the answer is probably no, at least if you don’t want to scare off all of your friends and repulse the courtiers.

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Unless you want to become even sneakier, that is. Then go ahead and become a Crazy Cat Lady, or a Crazy Cat Lord, if that’s how you identify.

At first thought, one might think that cats would be a very insignificant aspect of a medieval ruler’s life, however, when the Plague comes around to visit this changes drastically. Most of you probably know that the Black Death was likely spread by fleas on rats. Sadly this fact is unknown to ye olde peasant, and when people start to die, some of them might point fingers to our furry protectors. Believe it or not, there are some people who do not like cats. It’s crazy, I know, but trust me on this. How will you deal with their growing fears? Do remember, if you don’t have cats, you’ll have plenty of rats…

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This sneak peak of cats is all you’ll get for now. Don’t worry though, The Reaper’s Due is out on the 25th of August and then you can experience cats for yourself in all their whiskered glory. Next week Darkrenown will talk about more assorted features. Now I need to get back to scripting, there’re still some cat-related subjects which need further exploration… Adieu!
 
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Can you have both a dog and a cat at the same time? Because, well, that's +2 health right there, and if you keep the hunting focus you needed to get the dog, you are at +3. As the base health is 5, the addition of cats means that it won't be difficult to hit 8 health, rendering one immune to death by disease, injury, anything short of death by event or plot, really. Even getting knocked into a coma won't kill you off.

This has been a source of concern for me for a while now: with almost every new expansion, more positive modifiers are added. This is what resulted in the halving of all the opinion modifiers in Conclave's companion patch. So many positive opinion modifiers had been added, be they by traits, focuses, decisions, or something else, that it became trivial to max out opinion with pretty much everyone. And so they all were just cut in half, to bring the end result to a sensible level. So seeing the effects of owning a cat worries me somewhat, as it seems to indicate that the game is still moving in that same direction, even after Conclave's patch. (I'm of the opinion that instead of just giving stat or opinion bonuses, it is more fun and less unbalancing to the game to have things be unlocked by possessing certain traits and modifiers instead. That's what I did for my proof-of-concept mod for this, and I got a positive reaction from those that used it.)

I do think someone wants a thumb tack left on their chair... :)
You might want to consider hitting the switch for your dev posting mode, so your posts show up as dev posts, and can be seen when the filter for dev posts is turned on.


There's one track unlocked by the gamebook, but no Reaper's music pack.
Any word on if we will be able to get this content in some other way, besides through a mobile device? I'd love to buy the micro-DLC, but it isn't available through Steam.
 
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This is ridiculous. Why focus on naval battles, cadet dynasties, immersion, combat, the freaking speed of the game when we can add cats! You heard me correct! Cat pets for that is the most important addition to the game. One more reason not to buy the DLC. Paradox get your sh*t together, seriously.

The Dev here introduced themselves as a Content Designer, aka this Dev does simple stuff rather than create brand new features. Them not making cats would not result in complex features that you ask for. If you want to complain that Devs should have made those priority, than you should complain about Devs improving Plague and other main features of this expansion.

Seriously, some people seem to think that someone who draws a button is automatically fully qualified to develop a Victoria-level trading system.
 
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I'm not sure that the framework that CK2 is based around would allow for decent naval combat. Might need a sequel for that.
Even the basic idea of a sea broken up in discrete seazones represent the realities of sailing very badly.

Also you need to change your signature, they are removing flanders from the HRE.
 
Even the basic idea of a sea broken up in discrete seazones represent the realities of sailing very badly.

Also you need to change your signature, they are removing flanders from the HRE.

Flanders is still under the unjust yoke of the Kaiser. I'll change it when that changes on the 25th.
 
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Not because I need to make this a big discussion, but since people keep commenting, I feel I need to respond - I clearly stated in my post that I knew he/she tried to be funny and was making a joke, but that I didn't feel that it was the time or the place to make such a joke. So it seems rather needless for your comment that it is just a joke. I clearly know that!

I think the tone is quite aggressive in many threads - I don't mean to make it worse myself, but it is sad when people just argue with "calm down" or "chill out", as I/or others have got into a rage of some sort. It should be aloud to express opinions, questions and worries, without being punked about it.
I guess the issue is that some use this forum as a big joke community, while others like myself use it as a serious information channel. Of course there should be place for us all?

I had a question, which was only answered by a sarcastic joke by a Paradox member. I explained that I felt the joke was provocative to me, I felt looked down upon, and not what I would expect from a member of Paradox, but perhaps from a 13-year old child. The respond to this was the member saying I could just look on the internet - no comments about the obvious bad and out-of-place joke.

It doesn't matter if I am an idiot, or get upset about something that wasn't mean to upset me - but if you do the same thing in real life, the normal thing to do would to appologuise and state that it wasn't meant to upset them. My conclusion is that I continue to feel looked down upon by Paradox members, and that there often is a witch hunt from other users on those who are a bit annoyed about stuff regarding Paradox. I think Paradox should take this more serious - it is a simple customer experience, and though they might survive without my support, they should think about how they communicate on the forum, and how what they say is received.
I have always expected Paradox members here to be support-members, and have received great help from them. I have always respected them. But now it feels like they are just a band of sympathizers or thugs, that only bring joking to the forum. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE CASE - but it feels like that...

Lets leave this discussion at this, I don't want to make a big deal out of it (thought writing all of this, might suggest otherwise) Sorry!
I look forward to the DLC, and really like the game and the work that is put into it from Paradox.
I understand that maybe these sarcastic jokes aren't for anyone, but when I saw what you wrote *my* opinion was that you just exagerrated a little bit.

And hey, noone said you are an idiot, and even if they did, no one have any right to judge you unless they met you IRL.

Unfortunately for some the today society is more inclined on making jokes.Some are so bad that some people can't figure out if they were mocked or it was just a joke.
Their intent was to make people laugh. That's all and I'm happy that some of their team put a joke there and there. Those little things can make you day better :)

Oh and btw, please don't take it as an offense but you could have just simply search about that on google. It is easier than to wait for a reply on a game forum. Have a nice day!
 
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No offense, but I think most people prefer that the devs speak freely and as human beings on the forums (which naturally includes sarcasm and jokes), not as bland "the customer is always right" PR-drones. Besides, your original question was pretty easily seen as a joke in itself.

I think everyone prefers free-speaking devs who are genuine, etc. But there's a difference between not being genuine and replying sarcastic smartass. Hopefully.
 
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Why focus on naval battles, cadet dynasties, immersion, combat, the freaking speed of the game when we can add cats! You heard me correct! Cat pets for that is the most important addition to the game.
FINALLY! I was waiting years to hear that holy words, but people here just don't seem to understand. :)
 
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Looks like a small but a nice feature. I like. Now what I really want is some more portrait packs... I kinda think the English (anglo-saxons) and french can use a facelift.. pun intended :) honestly, compared to some other new faces like finns or Italians they look horrific. Would also love faces on some east Europe - polish or bohemian. Just my 2 cents that kinda bugged me for a while now ;)
 
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Looks like a small but a nice feature. I like. Now what I really want is some more portrait packs... I kinda think the English (anglo-saxons) and french can use a facelift.. pun intended :) honestly, compared to some other new faces like finns or Italians they look horrific. Would also love faces on some east Europe - polish or bohemian. Just my 2 cents that kinda bugged me for a while now ;)
Germans could really use a facelift too.
 
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Since dogs are already in game, will there be a relations penalty between dog and cat owners? Can I bring upon myself the ire of the Caliph because i have a dog instead of cat?

Also, will any hint at cats hunting plagued rats and consequently slightly lowering the risk of it spreading?
 
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I think everyone prefers free-speaking devs who are genuine, etc. But there's a difference between not being genuine and replying sarcastic smartass. Hopefully.

True. This is a general discussions game forum though, where players and sometimes devs mingle. If sarcastic smartass was being thrown around in a help forum or a customer support ticket, that'd be a different story but there is nothing wrong with it here.

The comment was fine, that the sole player is getting that bent out of shape over it is just silly and a tad bit sad.

Agree. I think English French and German use the same faces... not sure though.

They do. Sadly. I always start marrying into Irish or Norse families to escape the horror that is misaligned facial hair.
 
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Can you have both a dog and a cat at the same time? Because, well, that's +2 health right there, and if you keep the hunting focus you needed to get the dog, you are at +3. As the base health is 5, the addition of cats means that it won't be difficult to hit 8 health, rendering one immune to death by disease, injury, anything short of death by event or plot, really. Even getting knocked into a coma won't kill you off.

This has been a source of concern for me for a while now: with almost every new expansion, more positive modifiers are added. This is what resulted in the halving of all the opinion modifiers in Conclave's companion patch. So many positive opinion modifiers had been added, be they by traits, focuses, decisions, or something else, that it became trivial to max out opinion with pretty much everyone. And so they all were just cut in half, to bring the end result to a sensible level. So seeing the effects of owning a cat worries me somewhat, as it seems to indicate that the game is still moving in that same direction, even after Conclave's patch. (I'm of the opinion that instead of just giving stat or opinion bonuses, it is more fun and less unbalancing to the game to have things be unlocked by possessing certain traits and modifiers instead. That's what I did for my proof-of-concept mod for this, and I got a positive reaction from those that used it.)
I agree there, it seems to me that these bonuses are rather extreme for just having a cat. Maybe a slight reduction in the chance of getting the stressed trait would be enough, or perhaps adding in a penalty to piety (for Christians) as a compensation.

Besides, I doubt cats really are very healthy things to have. At least the hounds stay in the kennels, cats walk all over dinner tables and give people fleas...
 
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Agree. I think English French and German use the same faces... not sure though.
I think so too, dutch too right? The old generic western euopean face. Also the old generic western european unit models.


I agree there, it seems to me that these bonuses are rather extreme for just having a cat. Maybe a slight reduction in the chance of getting the stressed trait would be enough, or perhaps adding in a penalty to piety (for Christians) as a compensation.

Besides, I doubt cats really are very healthy things to have. At least the hounds stay in the kennels, cats walk all over dinner tables and give people fleas...
Cats are very clean animals. It's not like having a dog walking on a table. Unless the cat is sick it'll keep itself clean.
If dogs give +1 health then I see no reason why cats shouldn't too.
 
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Either you've never had cats or you've had lazy cats, my late cat could have halted a plague rat infestation on his own, he really liked killing things.
If you really think a single cat owner in the whole province can stop the plague happening then we are doomed to communicate with each other. Best to leave at that.
 
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If you really think a single cat owner in the whole province can stop the plague happening then we are doomed to communicate with each other. Best to leave at that.
Perhaps not in a province but in a holding? Also depending on how big the holding is. Also there is never just one cat.
 
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